I just read Melvira's tip on how to smooth icing using the roller, and it got me thinking " What other great "tips" are out there to make decorating and baking easier?" So many people use "everyday" tools for decorating and such, and I would like to know what other decorators do.
One of my tips is: using a pringles can to help hold the bag while filling it with icing. Use a regular size can, place the bag in the can, fold the bag over the sides and fill with icing.
Another one is I bought a basket at Dollar Tree that has a couple of compartments and I keep my icing ingrediants in it (not the powdered sugar, or crisco). When I need to make icing, i pull out my basket that has my flavorings, small container of meringue powder, flour ect.. in it. Its all in one place!
So.... What do you use (do) that makes it easier?? 
I bought a couple of those 5-6 drawer plastic units and put all the smaller things I use to decorate cakes and cookies on a regular basis in the drawers. I store the units in a closet--I overflowed my pantry--and roll them into my kitchen when I have a project. It certainly helps to lessen my mess and saves me some steps.
I hung a shelf on my kitchen wall right by my KA. I keep little misc things on it, like vanilla and other flavorings, pan grease, merique powder, etc. Then I nailed in little nails on the front bottom edge and I can hang my measuring cups, measuring spoons and my kitchen scissors. Keeps them handy and they are not cluttering up the counter top, plus they never get buried in the kitchen drawers. I transfer all of my flour and sugar from bags into large Tupperware containers which makes it easier to scoop out what you need without having to mess with opening and closing a bag each and everytime.
I read on CC that someone stacked her tips (that were the same size, but multiple). She used the Wilton "tackle box". So do I. I have at least 3 of some of my favorite tips. I've been decorating for two years and never knew you could stack them and still get the lid closed. Sure saved on space.
I have a piece of PVC pipe (about 2 ft) I use this for making loops for my fondant bows. Run a piece of sturdy twine through the length of the pipe, then hang the pipe from the knobs of your closed upper cabinet (will resemble a trapeze bar). It keeps the loops high and dry...and away from my small kids.
Ooohhh I like the tackle box idea!! Wow keep 'em coming....
Instead of a tackle box, I went to Home Depot and bought one of those screw/nail boxes that has all the little drawers. The smaller drawers I have my tips organized and the larger drawers I put my flower nails, petal dusts, etc.
I also bought one of the plastic rolling carts with drawers that I keep my larger supplies, all I have to do is roll it out and everything is at my fingertips.
Its my pans I have the most difficulty organizing, they are in the plastic storage tubs (not labeled) so it takes me forever to find or decide on the one I need 
I use the plastic wrap method for filling my bags w/ icing...so easy and convenient (already posted to CC titled "great tip from my instructor")
I also have a "tackle" box to store my supplies in, I got it at Joann, and I like it b/c it's opaque and I can usually see what's in it w/o to much trouble.
I've read only a little about the plastic wrap method. Isn't that a little too much work just to fill a bag?? 
It takes me less time ( @ 1 minute) to do the plastic "tube" and insert it, than it would to neatly fill a decorator bag, plus it lessens the mess -especially on reusable type bags. If you've never tried it, you should...b/c you don't know how simple it makes things.
Oohhh, I'm not very neat when I decorate. The cake is , but my work station is a mess!! Maybe to lessen the mess I will try that. I'm all about simplicity and making things easier 
(hence the post!!!)
I tried the method of loading icing this weekend using icing rolled into wax paper - it was great! It worked especially great with the big decorator couplers and tip - only the inside of the tip got dirty.
I use those shower-hat bowl covers over my sifter to keep me from throwing the ingredients out over the top of the sifter. I can really crank that thing!
I also discovered even if I use the KA pouring shield, I still get powdered sugar, flour, and cocoa flying out of the bowl. I found it I took a paper plate and cut the center out of it the exact size of the KA mixer head and then cut a wedge out so that it fits up snug on both sides of the chute and snug on top of the pouring shield. I cut down the escapees from the bowl to almost nothing.
As I said in another thread, I weigh almost everything. I use a paper plate for the dry and other vessels for liquids and just tare the container's weight. The portion size and weight in grams are on the containers. I needed 1/2 cup of crisco, so the container said one serving was 1 Tbsp and it weighed 12 grams - 1/2 cup=96 grams. No mess, just spoon it out onto a paper plate or even the crisco container lid until you get the proper weight. It is also a valuble method for checking to see how accurate your measuring cups and such are.
Well I got a tackle box. This thing is huge, but perfect!! The front pulls down and store 3 boxes that have seperators in them that are the perfect size for the tips!! I also have all my couplers, colors and nails stored in there as well. The top opens to a fairly large space that I am keeping all ohter tools in, like the 789 tip, scissors ect.. in. I got mine at Bass Pro Shop. My husband was so tickled that I spent birthday money on a tackle box!! 
I don't have a tackle box, but I use the clear smaller boxes that go inside of them--the organizers. I keep a few tips of the same number together in each little divided area. I can stack them easily and see what tips are where. Also I don't have to drag out a large box--they (2 right now) are stacked neatly in a larger tote that holds other stuff. They are about 7" x9" and about 1 1/2" tall.
"I read on CC that someone stacked her tips (that were the same size, but multiple). She used the Wilton "tackle box". So do I. I have at least 3 of some of my favorite tips. I've been decorating for two years and never knew you could stack them and still get the lid closed. Sure saved on space."
I am new to alot of this stuff, but I have several duplicate tips and I stacked them all in my Wilton tackle box. I felt pretty smart the other day when my instructor complimented me on the good idea. Wish I had good ideas more often..
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